Elevation Worship – Faithful

It has only been two weeks since I released my last review of Elevation Worship’s Resurrecting!  Rather than boring you with some non-newsworthy reports of Elevation Worship’s activities, I will simply move onto my review of Faithful and pretend like I wrote a fabulous introduction, that most of you don’t read anyways.

For those who are interested in my other Elevation Worship reviews, select Hallelujah Here Below, Jesus I Come, Do It Again, Here Again, Yours (Glory and Praise), or O Come to the Altar. 

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.  I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

The main thrust of this message is that God is faithful, even when we are faithless.

Verse 1 starts with feelings of despair regarding some unknown scenario.  The Chorus declares that God is faithful regardless of our actions.  However, He does not promise us a pain-free life.   He does not promise to remove all sickness, struggles, and suffering from us in our present, earthly state.  He promises to redeem us and may choose to heal us; However, we should also expect to suffer for Christ (1 Peter 4:12-19).  An easy correction would be something like “even if you don’t protect me, I’ll praise you”, similar to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s resolve in Daniel 3:16-18.

This song makes correct, biblical statements along the way, such as God’s unchanging nature, He is abundant in His gracious gifts, and His constant presence that does not abandon us

Side Note: To those sensitive to massive repetition, the Bridge repeats six times.

Score: 9/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

These lyrics are Biblically accurate.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

When I felt like the burden was more than I could hold
When the whispers of worry overwhelmed my soul

Elevation Worship opens this song by describing unnamed, unbearable burdens.  Based on Chorus, Elevation Worship leans on God’s faithfulness, that He carries their burdens (Matthew 11:28-30).

[Pre-Chorus 1]

You never left me alone
You were there all along

The Bridge identifies God as the identity of “You”.  God does not forsake those who are His (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 118:6, and Hebrews 13:5-6).

[Chorus]

You are faithful

2 Timothy 2:13 tells us that God is faithful, even when we are faithless.  God cannot deny Himself.

Why should my heart be afraid?

What can man do to me (Psalm 56:11, Psalm 118:6, and Hebrews 13:6)?

You are faithful

Repeats line 1.

I know You’re not gonna change

Correct, God does not change, in terms of His nature and promises (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, and James 1:17).

You are faithful, faithful

Essentially repeats line 1.

[Verse 2]

I was down to the wire hoping You’d come through
Then You stepped in the fire like You always do

Elevation Worship’s testimony is that God helped them in their time of need.  However, we must understand that God’s response is based on His timing, not ours (2 Peter 3:9).

[Pre-Chorus 2]

How I’m convinced of Your love

Probably an allusion to Romans 5:6-8.

You are more than enough

This speaks to the character and nature of God.  In terms of grace, yes, He is more than enough (2 Corinthians 9:8).

[Bridge]

O God, my Father

Reveals the identity of “You”.

How great, great is Your faithfulness

Far too great for our comprehension.

O God, my Father
How great, great is Your faithfulness
O God, my Father
How great, great is Your faithfulness
O God, my Father
How great, great is Your faithfulness
O God, my Father
How great, great is Your faithfulness
O God, my Father
How great, great is Your faithfulness

Repeats lines 1 and 2.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will likely think this song is Christian, given the song’s references to “faith” and “God my Father”.  He is faithful to take our burdens and be with us.  My concerns about potential “Word of Faith” doctrine are more pronounced for those outside Christians.

Score: 8/10

4. What does this song glorify?

God is glorified through Elevation Worship’s description of His faithfulness, only slightly dulled by concerns over expectations concerning rescue.

Score: 9/10

Closing Comments

Elevation Worship’s Faithful is good overall.  It expresses God’s faithfulness to His people, glorifying Him.  While following Jesus does not make all suffering go away, others will understand that God’s faithfulness does not depend upon our actions.

Those who disagree with my comments on “Word of Faith” potential could use this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Faithful (listen to the song)

Artist: Elevation Worship

Album: Hallelujah Here Below

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 5:34

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2018 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

04/08/2022 – Re-reviewed the entire song based on current thinking, significantly raising this song’s score from 3/10 to 9/10, with corporate worship recommendation changed to “Perhaps”.  Thanks to Michael Ramsey for letting me know!

09/14/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Elevation Worship’s theology.

04/21/2021 – Upon closer examination, I decided that this song deserves a much lower rating, based on its adherence to the “Word of Faith” movement.  I significantly lowered its score, from 7/10 to 3/10.

03/24/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.  I increased section 1’s score.  This did not affect my overall rating.

09/18/2019 – Commenter pathosbill made a compelling case for God’s faithfulness using 2 Timothy 2:13.  I came down hard on Elevation Worship because I believed Verse 1 to be its main pillar to support the rest of the song.  This one verse adds another pillar, changing my entire outlook on this review.  This drastically increases its score from 3.5/10 to 7/10.